You may be unaware of a few facts. Fr. Madden went to the diocese first and did not get any support or action. Bishop Lori admits that he cut Fr. Fey slack because he was having health problems. Fr. Madden only went outside the "chain of command" after it failed him and his parishoners. Would you have the same opinion of a priest who took action on his own if the concern had been child molestation?
I'm sure he didn't.
He had two further options: (1) going over the ordinary's head to the bishop's conference and if that fell through (2) reporting Fr. Fay to the police.
Bishop Lori admits that he cut Fr. Fey slack because he was having health problems.
Not surprising. These guys all develop health problems as soon as this stuff arises.
Fr. Madden only went outside the "chain of command" after it failed him and his parishoners.
He didn't follow the chain of command any further than one link. And as a result, he failed his parishioners and has apparently decided to abandon them.
Would you have the same opinion of a priest who took action on his own if the concern had been child molestation?
Absolutely. If he suspected a fellow priest of such crimes, he should have reported his suspicions to the police immediately - not hired a private investigator.
Thanks for this additional information.
Regardless of whether or not it was right for Bishop Lori to discipline Fr. Madden, that doesn't justify Fr. Madden's decision to leave the priesthood. Nor should we blame the bishop for this man's free choice to leave the priesthood. There is nothing even remotely noble about his decision to abandon his vocation. Remaining faithful to his vocation would have been the noble course of action.